Zuleyka Rivera, Miss Puerto Rico, Wins Miss Universe® 2006 Title

Los Angeles, California, July 23, 2006 –This evening, during one of the year’s most exciting live television events, a star-studded panel of judges chose Zuleyka Rivera, Miss Puerto Rico, as MISS UNIVERSE® 2006.

The 18-year-old delegate from Puerto Rico was crowned at the conclusion of the 55th Annual broadcast on NBC live from Los Angeles, California.

Access Hollywood’s Nancy O’Dell and actor/singer Carlos Ponce (7th Heaven), hosted the live telecast from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. Commentary was provided by Carson Kressley of Bravo’s Queer Eye along with Shandi Finnessey, Miss USA 2004 throughout the live telecast.

Sony BMG artist Chelo performed his new song “Cha Cha” during the two-hour live telecast and 28-year-old opera-sensation Vittorio Grigolo performed selections from his debut album, “In The Hands Of Love.”

Throughout the two-hour event, the delegates competed in three categories; swimsuit, evening gown and interview. During these competitions the “Top Five” finalists were selected before the crowning. Natalie Glebova, Miss Universe 2005, crowned her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast, before an estimated worldwide viewing audience of more than 600 hundred million in over 180 countries.

Miss Universe® 2006 Final Results:

First Runner Up: Kurara Chibana, Miss Japan will assume the duties of MISS UNIVERSE 2006 if the titleholder for some reason cannot fulfill her responsibilities.

Second Runner Up: Lauriane Gillieron, Miss Switzerland

Miss Universe® 2006 Rest of Top Five:

Lourdes Arevalos, Miss Paraguay

Tara Conner, Miss USA

Miss Universe® 2006 Rest of Top Ten:

Alice Panikian, Miss Canada

Kenisha Thom, Miss Trinidad/Tobago

Desiree Duran, Miss Bolivia

Priscila Perales, Miss Mexico

Valerie Dominguez, Miss Colombia

Miss Universe® 2006 Rest of Top Twenty:

Dina Fekadu, Miss Ethiopia

Anna Litvinova, Miss Russia

Rafeala Zanella, Miss Brazil

Betina Faurbye, Miss Denmark

Josephine Alhanko, Miss Sweden

Charm Onwarin Osathanond, Miss Thailand

Adrienn Bende, Miss Hungary

Neha Kapur, Miss India

Magali Romitelli, Miss Argentina

Inna Tsymbaliuk, Miss Ukraine

• National Costume Award: Kurara Chibana, Miss Japan. Chosen by a local panel of judges during a two-hour telecast in Los Angeles, California for the delegate who displayed her country’s pride and spirit best in costume.

• Congeniality Award: Angela Asare, Miss Ghana . The award reflects the respect and admiration of the delegate’s peers, who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational participant.

• Photogenic Award: Lia Andrea Ramos, Miss Philippines . The general public voted on www.nbc.com for the delegate who exemplifies beauty through the lens of a camera.

The Miss Universe Organization, producers of the MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® competitions, is a Donald J. Trump and NBC partnership. Utilizing its global grass roots infrastructure, the Miss Universe Organization is committed to increasing HIV/AIDS Awareness by focusing on women’s health and reproductive issues. By forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education, such as the Global Health Council, Gods Love We Deliver and the United Nations Population Fund’s Face-to-Face Campaign, Miss Universe is armed to impact women today.